Amblyopia In Children

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Amblyopia a condition that causes your child to have poor vision. It occurs if your child's brain favors one eye instead of both eyes equally. This may cause him to have trouble seeing and understanding what he sees. He may not be able to see details very well. Amblyopia is sometimes called lazy eye because one eye is weaker than the other.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

Cycloplegic medicine: These medicines blur vision in your child's normal eye. This forces the weak eye to see by itself so it will develop and catch up to the normal eye.

Give your child's medicine as directed. Contact your child's healthcare provider if you think the medicine is not working as expected. Tell him or her if your child is allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs your child takes. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why they are taken. Bring the list or the medicines in their containers to follow-up visits. Carry your child's medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

Do not give aspirin to children under 18 years of age. Your child could develop Reye syndrome if he takes aspirin. Reye syndrome can cause life-threatening brain and liver damage. Check your child's medicine labels for aspirin, salicylates, or oil of wintergreen.

Follow up with your child's healthcare provider as directed:

Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your child's visits.

Help your child's vision develop:

Let your child draw or write as much as he likes. Read to him or show him books with lots of pictures, activities, and puzzles. This will help his weak eye get stronger.